Press distribution in Poland before 1989
Wiesław Sonczyk
English version of the article
The article attempts to present the history of press distribution in Poland between 1945–1989, predominantly for the sake of journalism students. The author is of the opinion that the distribution system is an integral part of the media system which, in comparison to press, radio and television, is relatively unknown. There is little literature on the subject and it is not easily accessible. Meanwhile, history of press distribution deserves attention since it illustrates the general media situation in communist Poland. It shows how dependent it was on the political authority (PZPR party) and its economic and political goals.
The article discusses the three main phases of the distribution system’s organizational development. In the first, between 1945–1949, press distribution was decentralized and diversified which meant that different publishers were also distributors and there was no organization responsible for the creation and realization of distribution policy. In the second phase (1950–1972), distribution was nationalized, monopolized and centralized. It was run by a state owned corporation. In the third phase, between 1973–1989, based on an administrative decision of the authorities, these duties were taken over by a party concern RSW “Prasa–Książka–Ruch”.KEYWORDS
press distribution, sales, subscription, press system, media, distribution market, Polish media system